'We will not return': Imran Khan supporters march for his release
Punching the air and roaring in Unison, ecstatic crowds joined a growing demonstration on Wednesday in support of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, an opposition show of force that authorities had sought to avert.
Thrilled supporters of Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, rallied in unison on Wednesday to demand his release from jail. The "long march," organized by Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), aimed to pressure authorities into letting Khan out of prison. Protesters, many from the impoverished and lawless Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, vowed they would not return home until Khan was freed.
The demonstration came just days after Khan's release from prison in August 2023. He is currently facing numerous charges, including corruption and treason, which his legal team claims are politically motivated. Khan, a beloved former cricket star, was behind bars since he was arrested in August 2023.
Khan's supporters, including Qalandar Khan from northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed their frustration over economic conditions, lawlessness, and terrorism, all of which they blame on the government. Qalandar Khan, 58, said he would not return home until Khan was released and would continue to support him "until our hearts beat."
Pir Fayyaz, a 40-year-old property dealer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that Khan had wanted to establish peace in the country and eliminate corruption. He said, "We have become deeply frustrated with inflation, lawlessness, poor governance and terrorism in the country."
Sohail Afridi, the PTI chief minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, addressed the crowd from a truck with a five-meter-high platform displaying pictures of Khan. Afridi, 40, urged the protesters to march to Islamabad and reiterated the PTI's demands for access to Khan in prison for doctors, party officials, and relatives.
Police intelligence officials, speaking anonymously, reported that the demonstration involved 1,500 vehicles and between 5,000 to 6,000 people. Authorities had been preparing for weeks for the possibility of such a large-scale protest, originally scheduled for September 27 but later postponed to Sunday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on PTI to call off the march and resume negotiations with the government. Talks between the two sides broke down early on Sunday before the march began. Sharif warned that the government would use the full force of law to counter any negative impact the demonstration might have on the economy.
Despite the march's progress being limited to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the opposition remains hopeful for an agreement with the government to end the demonstration. Farmers like 58-year-old Bismillah Jan, who marched in support of Khan, expressed his willingness to make any sacrifice for his political leader.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
